Let’s dive into how order streaming works, why it’s crucial for your business, and how it can elevate your ecommerce operations and boost customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is order streaming?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Not to be confused with entertainment streaming, order streaming is a cutting-edge approach to managing orders in ecommerce fulfilment centres\u2014designed to enhance efficiency and reduce downtime. Unlike traditional batch processing, where orders are grouped and processed together, order streaming processes each order individually as it comes in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Made possible with the help of a powerful warehouse management system (WMS)<\/a>, this method ensures a continuous stream of work for employees and optimises omnichannel fulfilment. Therefore, eliminating operational lulls and allowing for real-time prioritization of orders, regardless of the sales channel they originate from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Transitioning from traditional warehouse management methods to modern order streaming techniques represents a significant evolution in ecommerce logistics. Traditional methods often lead to delays and inaccuracies, especially with increasing order volumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, order streaming offers several benefits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n That being said, order streaming isn\u2019t a necessity in all cases. For example, consider a fulfilment centre vs a warehouse<\/a>. You wouldn\u2019t necessarily require the capabilities of order streaming in a traditional warehouse setting where inventory is primarily stored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe need partners that can move fast, and one of the most important things they can give us is time back. Being able to quickly get an inventory report or order status from the ShipBob dashboard is very convenient, and the speed at which they operate and receive inventory also helps us get our product into customers\u2019 homes more quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Honey Insurance<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Order streaming changes traditional warehouse management and ecommerce fulfilment by addressing the limitations of traditional methods like wave and waveless processing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wave processing is a conventional method where orders are grouped into batches, or “waves,” and processed together at scheduled times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wave picking<\/a> or batch picking<\/a> can lead to inefficiencies as orders wait for their wave to start, causing delays that can accumulate, especially during high-demand periods<\/a> like holidays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In contrast, order streaming processes each order as soon as it’s received, allowing for faster fulfilment and fewer bottlenecks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flexibility is another area where wave processing falls short. High-priority orders must wait until the next wave, which can be problematic for businesses requiring quick turnarounds, such as same-day delivery services. Order streaming, however, can prioritize urgent orders immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Waveless<\/a> processing is a more modern approach, continuously picking orders without batching. While it resembles order streaming, it often lacks the same level of real-time data integration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Order streaming updates inventory and order status instantaneously. For instance, an online store using order streaming can reflect stock levels immediately after each order, reducing the chance of selling out-of-stock items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both methods are scalable, but order streaming typically adapts better to sudden spikes in demand. If a flash sale increases orders tenfold, order streaming systems handle this surge more smoothly because they are designed for constant, real-time operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Order streaming enhances ecommerce warehousing<\/a> operations, resulting in faster delivery times and improved customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By processing orders in real-time, businesses can meet customer expectations for quick deliveries, fostering loyalty and repeat business. That being said, the benefits extend beyond customer satisfaction, significantly affecting logistics and ecommerce workforces in other ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a company adopts order streaming technology, the workforce is required to upskill. Employees need to learn how to use these advanced systems, which creates new job opportunities and career paths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, workers who previously managed manual tasks might now focus on overseeing automated processes or analising data to optimise operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This shift not only provides employees with valuable new skills but also opens doors to more specialized roles within the logistics sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Balancing automation with human labour is key to a successful logistics operation. Automation can handle repetitive tasks like sorting and picking, while human workers are essential for roles that require judgment, problem-solving, and customer interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A good approach here is using automated systems for bulk picking and deploying human workers for quality control and exception handling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, while an automated system may handle the bulk of order picking, human workers can ensure packages are correctly labelled and address any issues that arise, adding a layer of quality control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At ShipBob, we do our best to stand out in the ecommerce order fulfilment<\/a> industry by keeping track of trending developments and adapting to innovative solutions within the supply chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We leverage advanced technology, offer a comprehensive fulfilment network, and provide detailed analytics to secure reliable order processing for businesses of all sizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ShipBob uses the latest third-party logistics (3PL<\/a>) technology to streamline order fulfilment processes. Our advanced systems reduce manual errors and speed up operations, enhancing overall efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShipping 80,000 units during a short period of 5 weeks during the holiday season is something that a professional fulfilment partner is set up to handle, not a small business.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bryan Perla, CEO of <\/em>Little ELF<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n ShipBob’s extensive fulfilment network<\/a> of dozens of facilities allows businesses to distribute inventory<\/a> to multiple strategically located warehouses across the world. This minimises shipping times and removes the extra cost by reducing the distance between products and customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ShipBob offers comprehensive reporting and analytics tools<\/a> for in-depth insights into fulfilment operations. These tools enable businesses to track performance metrics, costs, monitor inventory levels, and make data-driven decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur 3PLs before ShipBob also were a total black box when it came to pricing \u2014 we\u2019d just get one invoice with no line items, which made it impossible to work out what was what. With ShipBob, it\u2019s very transparent billing and pricing, and now we know exactly what we\u2019re being charged.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jonathan Byrt, Director & Co-founder at <\/em>memobottle<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Interested in unlocking seamless fulfilment and streamlined logistics with ShipBob? Connect with our team to get started with our outsourced fulfilment solution, implement our propriety WMS in your own warehouse, or leverage a combination of both for hybrid fulfilment. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTransitioning from traditional methods to order streaming<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
How does order streaming compare with traditional processes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wave processing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Waveless processing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The impact of order streaming on the workforce<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Upskilling and new opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Integrating automation and human workforce<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
ShipBob’s leading approach to ecommerce order fulfilment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Next-level fulfilment tech for efficient order fulfilment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Distribute at leisure with ShipBob\u2019s unmatched fulfilment network<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Be in the know at all times with reports & analytics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Get started with ShipBob<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/themes\/shipbob-2022\/resources\/svg\/plus-solid.svg\"\/)
<\/div><\/div>